(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations make provision for individuals on temporary release from prison due to the outbreak COVID-19 in Northern Ireland to access means tested benefits during the period of that release.
Regulation 2 requires the definition of prisoner in various means tested benefits to be read so that individuals temporarily released from a prison in Northern Ireland are no longer included within that definition. This means those individuals will be entitled to make a claim, or their presence in a household claiming means tested benefits will be taken into account in calculating entitlement.
Regulation 3 enables a person temporarily released from a prison in Northern Ireland to be included as a member of a claimant's household in a number of means tested benefits.
Regulation 4 enables a person temporarily released from a prison in Northern Ireland to be treated as available for employment in a claim for jobseekers allowance.
Regulation 5 provides entitlement to housing benefit for individuals temporarily released from a prison in Northern Ireland.
Under regulation 6 the Department must keep the operation of the Regulations under review. Regulations 2 to 5 expire on the same day as the Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (Coronavirus Disease) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R.. 2020 No. 33) and the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020 No. 53).
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, public or voluntary sectors is foreseen.